Hawks have life-changing experience visiting troops

High spirits of rehabbing soldiers give Stanley Cup champions different perspective on life

March 10, 2011|By Chris Kuc, Tribune reporter

WASHINGTON — As they slowly filed off the bus on a rainy afternoon in the nation's capital, many Blackhawks players, coaches and front-office personnel believed the atmosphere they were about to encounter inside would match the gloomy weather outside.

They were, after all, about to spend time with soldiers who have lost limbs while fighting for the United States, mostly in Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead, during the Hawks' visit Thursday to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, the Stanley Cup champions discovered the wounded soldiers' appreciation for life and in the process learned some valuable lessons they will take with them the rest of this hockey season as well as the rest of their lives.

"Coming in here, you don't know how injured everyone's going to be and what their spirits are," defenseman John Scott said. "Everyone had such high spirits and they were just so positive it really makes you double-check on your life and kind of puts everything in perspective.

"I'm not going to complain as much as I used to. You know hockey players, we say, 'Oh my legs are sore, I hit the post, I'm so down on myself'— that's nothing. These guys went through hell and back and now they're here with a smile on their face and are joking around. What we're going through pales in comparison with what they are."

For two hours, members of the Hawks organization, along with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, visited with soldiers, even while some were going through arduous rehabilitation from catastrophic injuries. The team distributed more than 90 Hawks sweaters along with a plethora of caps, pennants and posters that players autographed for soldiers and their families.

"This is great for all of us," team President John McDonough said. "Not only to demonstrate our appreciation, but for players to get a better understanding of what these wounded warriors, men and women, have to go through in their therapy, how long they're going to be here and some of the interesting stories that our players and staff are going to take away from this for the rest of their lives. It changed my life."

During the visit, thoughts about a current two-game losing streak and its impact on the Western Conference playoff race took a back seat to the inspiration, determination and spirit of soldiers from all over the United States.

"It really opens your eyes and makes you realize how fortunate we are to not only do what we do for a living but just that we're able to walk around and enjoy life on foot," winger Patrick Kane said. "Sometimes you're so worked up and focused on hockey that you forget about these little things and this really makes you realize what we do for a living isn't nearly as important as what goes on in the real world."

The Stanley Cup was also on hand and captain Jonathan Toews presented a replica to the medical center.

"The first thing you really think about are the little things you have to deal with every day as a hockey player," Toews said. "Things you think are a big problem all of a sudden aren't so important anymore. You learn to really appreciate the little things you have.

"These people are sacrificing everything for us to be able to live our normal lives. For us to get to meet them and be inspired by them I think is extremely special. It's an inspiration for us as people and as a hockey team. We definitely learned quite a bit."

Sgt. First Class John Masson, a native of Gary, Ind., now living in Lake Station, was a surprise participant in a brief ceremony, singled out for his allegiance to the Hawks. The 39-year-old, who lost his legs and left arm to a roadside bomb 2 1/2 months into his tour in Afghanistan, was appreciative of the visit.

"It expedites the healing process," said Masson, a medic with the Special Forces who was decked out in a Hawks T-shirt and hat and wearing the Stanley Cup championship ring of team Vice President Jay Blunk. "It makes you realize that those Americans and Canadians — and all the players out there — that they're there for us. That's the biggest thing. It puts a smile on your face and it puts the love in your heart."